Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridanwas an Irish satirist; a playwright and poet, and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He is known for his plays such as The Rivals, The School for Scandal, The Duenna and A Trip to Scarborough. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig MP in the British House of Commons for Stafford, Westminsterand Ilchester. He is buried at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. His plays remain a central part of the canon, and...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPlaywright
Date of Birth30 October 1751
CountryIreland
Wine does but draw forth a man's natural qualities.
That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.
The silver ore of pure charity is an expensive article in the catalogue of a man's good qualities.
A man may think an untruth as well as speak one.
Here, my dear Lucy, hide these books. Quick, quick! Fling "Peregrine Pickle" under the toilette -throw "Roderick Random" into the closet -put "The Innocent Adultery" into "The Whole Duty of Man"; thrust "Lord Aimworth" under the sofa! cram "Ovid" behind the bolster; there -put "The Man of Feeling" into your pocket. Now for them.
It is by women that nature writes on the hearts of men.
Men seldom think deeply on subjects in which they have no choice of opinion: they are fearful of encountering obstacles to their faith--as in religion--and so are content with the surface.
A man may surely be allowed to take a glass of wine by his own fireside.
You know it is not in my interest to pay the principal; nor is it my principal to pay the interest.
A bumper of good liquor will end a contest quicker than justice, judge, or vicar.
He is indebted to his memory for his jests and to his imagination for his facts.
Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do everything in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen, but, at the same time, as polished as your sword.
My valor is certainly going, it is sneaking off! I feel it oozing out as it were, at the palms of my hands!
There's no possibility of being witty without a little ill-nature.